Toronto loves warm weather and getting out into it at a festival. Some are held indoors but many more are found outdoors. It seems like you can find a festival for any style: multicultural, intellectual, artistic, sporty and hungry! So, try out a bunch in our Summer Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
Inside Out Film Festival
Date: Continuing until June 1, 2025
Inside Out Film Festival is dedicated to bringing the film community together by engaging with diverse and inclusive 2SLGBTQ+ stories.
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
Date: Continuing until June 2, 2025
Sing along with Canada’s premier music festival featuring artists performing “a cappella”, which means to sing without instruments.
WeeFestival — Arts and Culture for Early Years
Date: Continuing until June 8, 2025
WeeFestival returns with performances and events in various locations around Toronto, intended for children newborn to six years old.
Canada’s Wonderland: Spring Festivals
Date: Continuing until July 13, 2025
Canada’s Wonderland is reopening for the 2025 season on May 8 (plus a Season Passholder Sneak Preview on April 26!) with exciting events happening throughout the spring months.
Shaw Festival
Date: April 9 — October 4, 2025
The Shaw Festival returns for its 63rd season in the picturesque lakeside town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a varied program of plays, including family favourites like “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”.
Stratford Festival
Date: Continuing until November 2, 2025
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Date: June 3-8, 2025 (Toronto) and June 9-15, 2025 (online)
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, with in-person and online events.
Luminato Festival
Date: June 4-22, 2025
Luminato Festival Toronto is the city’s multi-arts festival, which kicks off the summer with memorable art experiences, presenting a unique blend of music, dance, theatre and performance art by exceptional Canadian and international artists.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Date: June 5-15, 2025
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival hosts its 33nd Festival with a program of films/series from across the globe, covering a variety of topics and screening through a variety of platforms.
The Streetsville Founders’ Bread and Honey Festival
Date: June 6-8, 2025
The Streetsville Founder’s Bread and Honey Festival includes music performances, midway rides, a kids stage, lots of food (including bread and honey, of course), and much more.
Do West Fest
Date: June 6-8, 2025
Do West Fest is a free street festival of music, arts, food, fun, and community, covering 16 blocks along Dundas Street West.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Date: June 7-8, 2025
TCAF is an annual event showcasing the greatest in Canadian and International comic books and their creators, including hands-on kids workshops and events.
Downtown Milton SummerFest
Date: June 7, 2025
Celebrate the start of summer at the Downtown Milton SummerFest, featuring local businesses and vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities and more!
Brampton KiteFest
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Get ready to soar high and celebrate colouring the skies at Brampton KiteFest, including colourful kites, fun activities and good vibes!
Oshawa Peony Festival
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Experience the award-winning Oshawa Peony Festival, a free captivating two-day event where families can become immersed in the splendour of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden.
Sound of Music Festival
Date: June 12-15, 2025
Presented by the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the Sound of Music Festival is Canada’s largest free outdoor music festival, taking place the week leading up to Father’s Day.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)
Date: June 12 — August 24, 2025
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) presents outdoor film screenings in three parks around the city, celebrating their 15th anniversary with a 20-evening festival programme featuring this year’s nostalgia-filled theme of “When We Were Young”.
Pickering Village JAMFest
Date: June 13-15, 2025
Pickering Village JAMFest celebrates the fun, music, and arts that define Pickering Village at a free street festival over Father’s Day Weekend.
DESIFEST
Date: June 14, 2025
DESIFEST is Canada’s biggest South Asian music concert, with an all-ages outdoor festival at Sankofa Square, celebrating culture and community with epic live performances!
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
Date: June 14-15, 2025
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival welcomes boat racing teams to the Toronto Islands, plus music and cultural performances.
HungaroFest
Date: June 15, 2025
HungaroFest invites visitors to step into the heart of Hungarian culture and heritage at Sankofa Square with a free festival filled with food, dance and music.
Vaughan International Film Festival
Date: June 16-19, 2025
The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) presents public film screenings and industry events as well as scholarship opportunities for student filmmakers.
Liberty Village BIA: Give Me Liberty Street Party
Date: June 19, 2025
One of Toronto’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods, Liberty Village BIA hosts its 19th annual free street party called “Give Me Liberty”, which transforms the Lamport Stadium Parking Lot into a vibrant outdoor patio space.
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS)
Date: June 19-22, 2025
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS) returns for its 12th Anniversary, showcasing short films from the next generation of great Canadian filmmakers.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Date: June 20-29, 2025
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns to light up the city’s music scene once again this summer, taking over the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood with lots of free outdoor shows over 10 days, as well as cultural themed nights that celebrate the music diversity of our city.
Markham Village Music Festival
Date: June 20-21, 2025
Markham Village Music Festival has outdoor concerts on five stages, plus a Kidz Zone, Barkham pets zone, and food and crafts.
PLAY! Taiwan Music and Food Fest
Date: June 20-22, 2025
PLAY! Taiwan Music and Food Fest features free performances, food vendors, and a Pride Market that celebrates Taiwan’s art and delicious food.
Fairbank Village BIA: Fairbank Summerfest
Date: June 20-22, 2025
Fairbank Village BIA hosts the return of Fairbank Summerfest, a free annual street fair including carnival rides, entertainment, international food and a European Bazaar sidewalk sale.
City of Toronto: Indigenous Arts Festival and Na-Me-Res Pow Wow
Date: June 20-21, 2025
Celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage at the Indigenous Arts Festival and Na-Me-Res Pow Wow in recognition of Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, featuring dancing, drumming and performances.
The Dance Together Festival
Date: June 20-21 & 27-28, 2025
Dancing into Mimico this year, the Dance Together Festival celebrates community through free diverse dance lessons, visual art and live music in public spaces.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
Date: June 21 — August 28, 2025
Enjoy the intimate live music experience of Summer Music in the Garden at the Toronto Music Garden by the waterfront. The program features 18 free performances by both JUNO Award-winning Canadian musicians and celebrated local artists.
Midtown Yonge BIA: Arraiá on Yonge
Date: June 21, 2025
Discover the magic of “Festa Junina” as Midtown Yonge BIA (MYBIA) hosts Arraiá on Yonge, a Brazilian street festival with live music, traditional food, dancing under colourful flags, plus games and, kid-friendly activities!
Black Creek Medieval Faire
Date: June 21-22, 2025
Come one, come all to the Black Creek Medieval Faire, where families can experience the excitement and wonder of the Middle Ages at this outdoor festival. Plus, there’s free admission for kids aged 9 and under!
Barrie Hill Farms: Strawberry Festival
Date: June 21-22, 2025
Kick off the Spring berry season at Barrie Hill Farms with their Strawberry Festival, with PYO strawberries, scenic wagon rides, live music, strawberry treats, artisan vendors, and more!
Toronto Union Station: TD Union Summer
Date: June 25 – August 10, 2025
Toronto Union Station once again hosts TD Union Summer, a free outdoor food and live music festival where you can relax on their Front Street plaza.
Lavazza IncluCity Festival
Date: June 27 — July 20, 2025
The Lavazza IncluCity Festival turns The Distillery Historic District’s cobblestone streets into an outdoor cinema village in a celebration of multiculturalism and the best in international cinema.
Stouffville Strawberry Festival
Date: June 27-29, 2025 (Fireworks on July 1)
Stouffville Strawberry Festival in Whitchurch-Stouffville features a carnival, performances, food, and fireworks on Canada Day.
South by South East International Festival (SXSE)
Date: June 27-29, 2025
The South by South East International Festival (SXSE) celebrates the diverse cultures of Asia and Latin America at Harbourfront Centre, with live music, a night market featuring global cuisine, and a kids’ zone.
Toronto Waterfront Festival
Date: June 28-29, 2025
The Toronto Waterfront Festival celebrates the arrival of Tall Ships to the Toronto harbour with on-land and on-water programming, promoting Toronto as a premiere waterfront destination.
Aga Khan Museum: Rhythms of Canada Festival
Date: June 30 – July 1, 2025
The Rhythms of Canada Festival celebrates our diverse tapestry at the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, showcasing local arts and culture with activities for all ages.
Guide to the Best Canada Day Events in Toronto and the GTA
Date: July 1, 2025
Celebrate our favourite country in the whole world with parties happening all over the GTA!
Toronto Fringe Festival & KidsFest
Date: July 2-13, 2025
Introduce your little ones to the magic of live theatre with Toronto Fringe Festival’s KidsFest, with shows and free activities for kids ages 4-12.
Beaches Jazz Festival
Date: July 4-27, 2025
The Beaches Jazz Festival, Toronto’s favourite free music festival, is back featuring over 70 new and returning artists of all genres.
Music Africa: AFROFEST
Date: July 4-6, 2025
Hosted by Music Africa, AFROFEST is the largest free African festival in North America, held over three days at Woodbine Park in The Beaches.
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival
Date: July 4-6, 2025
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival is a three-day festival showcasing the best of Filipino culture with street food, music, culture and public art highlighting Filipino artists and cultural groups from Canada and the Philippines.
Salsa in Toronto Festival: Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival
Date: July 5-6, 2025
The annual TD Salsa in Toronto Festival celebrates Latin culture and turns Midtown’s St. Clair Avenue West into Canada’s biggest salsa party.
Neilson Park Creative Festival
Date: July 5, 2025
The Neilson Park Creative Centre hosts the free all-ages Neilson Park Creative Festival, featuring outdoor art and fine craft vendors, live music performances, a plein-air painting competition, and food and drink with free parking on-site.
Ontario Place: SummerSeries in Trillium Park
Date: July 5 — August 23, 2025
Ontario Place returns with another exciting season of free programming with the SummerSeries in beautiful Trillium Park on Toronto’s waterfront, which offers the perfect setting to enjoy music, arts, wellness, and nature.
Guild Festival Theatre: Family Fest
Date: July 10-13, 2025
Join Guild Festival Theatre for the return of Family Fest, their fourth annual FREE outdoor festival! This four-day celebration of the arts features theatre, circus, dance and music performances, along with workshops, entertainment and activities for all ages. It’s the perfect family-friendly festival to kick off the summer outdoor theatre season!
Toronto Summer Music Festival
Date: July 10 — August 2, 2025
The Toronto Summer Music Festival is a month-long classical music festival at the University of Toronto’s Walter Hall and other venues around the city.
Carabram Brampton Multicultural Festival
Date: July 11-13, 2025
Carabram is Brampton’s Multicultural Festival, honouring the rich culture, food, crafts, drink and entertainment of its many different ethnic groups.
Jackalope Festival Mississauga
Date: July 11-13, 2025
Known for its unique atmosphere, Jackalope is a vibrant three-day extreme sports festival in Mississauga, hosting world-class competitions and demonstrations by world-class skateboarders, breakdancers and boulders.
Chariot Fest (FKA Festival of India)
Date: July 11-13, 2025
Chariot Fest features a pre-festival gathering, parade on Yonge Street and family-friendly weekend activities on Centre Island, including outdoor yoga and a sumptuous and FREE vegetarian feast.
Dance on Yonge Festival
Date: July 11-13, 2025
Dance on Yonge Festival, presented by Canada Arts and Wellness Alliance, is a FREE vibrant outdoor dance and food celebration, held at Mel Lastman Square in North York.
Vaughan Latin Festival
Date: July 12, 2025
Enjoy latino culture at the free Vaughan Latin Festival at Mackenzie Glen Park with live performances, delicious food, and dancing.
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC): Summer Festival
Date: July 12, 2025
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) hosts their summer festival, also traditionally known as the Natsu Matsuri and Bon Odori Festival, which is a day celebrating food, fun, and heritage.
Mixto Festival
Date: July 12-13, 2025
Now in its seventh year, Mixto Festival is a free music festival and an intergenerational party that brings together communities, cultures, and experiences.
Harbourfront Centre: Caribbean Vibrations Festival
Date: July 12-13, 2025
Harbourfront Centre hosts the Caribbean Vibrations Festival, a weekend celebration filled with spirited music and mouthwatering food, covering over 27 islands of the Caribbean diaspora.
Youth Day 2025
Date: July 13, 2025
Youth Day Global hosts the free family-friendly creative arts festival Youth Day 2025, running all day and evening at Newmarket Riverwalk Commons.
Pan American Food and Music Festival
Date: July 18-20, 2025
The free Pan-American Food and Music Festival includes concerts in numerous musical styles and genres, food and dance competitions, and more.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Date: July 19 — August 3, 2025
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana) is a spectacular display of costumes, music and culture, with three weeks worth of events culminating in the Grand Parade on August Long weekend.
Canada’s Wonderland: KidZfest
Date: July 19 — August 3, 2025
Included with park admission, Canada’s Wonderland hosts KidZfest, where families can meet favourite TV characters, enjoy live shows and entertainment, join exciting dance parties, feast on delicious treats, keep busy with interactive games and activities, and more.
Gerrard India Bazaar: Festival of South Asia
Date: July 19-20, 2025
The annual TD Festival of South Asia closes the Gerrard East neighbourhood to traffic for two full days, with arts and culture, live entertainment, fashion shows and lots of food vendors.
Toronto International Brazilfest
Date: July 19-20, 2025
Brazilfest is a free vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture to experience the country’s captivating rhythms and mouthwatering flavours.
BIG on Bloor Festival
Date: July 19-20, 2025
BIG on Bloor Festival returns with an in-person car-free takeover of the Bloordale neighbourhood, on Bloor West from Dufferin to Lansdowne, celebrating community, creativity and diversity through arts and culture.
#BollywoodMonster Mashup and Food Festival
Date: July 25-26, 2025
Join the party for this year’s #BollywoodMonster Mashup and Food Festival at Mississauga’s Celebration Square, with concerts, food, KidZone and more!
Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
Date: July 26-27, 2025
A free outdoor festival for all ages, the 18th Annual Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival celebrates arts, culture, and the community of Scarborough, featuring local artisan vendors, live music and entertainment, plus families can also enjoy fun activities.
Summer Live Music Festival
Date: July 26, 2025
Take in some free outdoor concerts while enjoying the lakeside breeze at Ontario Place’s Summer Live Music Festival, featuring a diverse and compelling program, including Live Jazz and World Music as well as contemporary a cappella groups.
More information coming soon!
Little Jamaica BIA (Formerly York-Eglinton BIA): Little Jamaica Festival
Date: August 30-31, 2025
The Little Jamaica Festival features the best of Jamaican culture through local street food and art, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
More information coming soon!
Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA
Food festivals have become extremely popular in recent years in our neck of the woods and what better way to share our city’s many cultures than through a delicious party?! Hit your local park or city square and chow down with help from our Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA
With concerts, buskers and plays, enjoy the fresh air and give a round of applause to our Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA!
Looking for more ideas for Summer Outdoor activities? Check them out here!
